The FBS National Championship isn’t for two more days, but two teams that could likely beat a majority of FBS teams will play for the FCS National Championship on Saturday.
North Dakota State vs. Jacksonville State, FCS Championship Game: Time, live stream, TV schedule and 3 things to know
Can NDSU make it five straight? Can the Gamecocks break the streak?
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
No. 1 Jacksonville State and No. 2 North Dakota State will meet in Frisco Stadium with history on the line. The Gamecocks are trying to win their first even FCS title, while the Bison are trying to win their fifth straight.
NDSU has become the clear FCS dynasty since the turn of the decade, winning the last four National Championships. That already set the FCS record for consecutive titles, and it can set the college football record of five straight with a win over Jacksonville State. The Bison have become known for dominating FBS teams, and despite two losses this year, they’ve come on strong at the end of the year in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Jacksonville State has not lost since the second game of the season, when the Gamecocks brought Auburn to overtime and nearly pulled out the win. They’ve been the best team in the country, and they are perhaps the best-suited team to take down NDSU during this epic run.
How to watch, stream and listen
TV: Noon ET, ESPN2
Radio: North Dakota State, Jacksonville State
Online streaming: WatchESPN
Three big things to know
1. Will Carson Wentz play? Wentz went down 11 weeks ago with a wrist injury that should have had a 6-8 week recovery. Coach Chris Klieman hasn’t said if Wentz will play, but backup Easton Stick is 8-0. NFL fans will want to see Wentz play. He’s projected as the No. 22 overall pick in the latest SB Nation mock draft.
2. The big storyline is North Dakota State potentially getting its fifth national title in a row. That’s an unprecedented run of success for a program that has had its ups and downs throughout the years in different divisions.
3. This might be the best chance for a team to stop NDSU’s reign. NDSU has lost two games and has some instability at quarterback (even though Stick is 8-0 as Wentz’s backup). However, Jacksonville State has rolled through its FCS schedule and the Gamecocks nearly beat Auburn. They’re No. 1 for a reason and should give the Bison a fight.
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